Victor Ezeja
Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State was a big crime scene during the weekend as the town was put on edge with gruesome killing of a 74-year-old woman and clashes by rival cult groups.
The woman was reportedly burnt to death on a wheelchair by her attackers.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Anambra State Police Command confirmed that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while one is still at large.
The suspects reportedly procured a casket to bury the victim after the killing but were intercepted by security operatives.
According to a statement released on Sunday, 26 January, the Anambra Police Command’s spokesperson, Toochukwu Ikenga, said the four suspects included a 21-year old lady Chinenye Ekwenugo from Ifitedunu and three other persons: Uzochukwu Okeke (male) aged 47, Fidel Anayo (male) aged 60, and Ikenna Anene (male) aged 54 years respectively, all from Abagana.
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“The Anambra State Police operatives serving at Abagana Divisional Police Headquarters today 26/1/2024 by 9 am arrested four suspects including a 21-year old lady Chinenye Ekwenugo from Ifitedunu over the burning of a 74 (seventy-four) years old woman in a wheelchair at Abagana.
“The three other suspects include Uzochukwu Okeke ‘M’ aged 47, Fidel Anayo ‘M’ aged 60 and Ikenna Anene ‘M’ aged 54 years respectively, all from Abagana. The Operatives also recovered the burnt remains of the deceased, the wheelchair, and a casket,” Ikenga stated.
The spokesman further stated that the female suspect confessed that during interrogation by the Police Operatives, the female suspect, Ekwenugo, confessed that her boyfriend Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently at large and three others set the victim ablaze and got a casket to bury her before the intervention of the security operatives.
He disclosed that the operatives are making efforts to arrest the main suspect Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently on the run.
“The body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy and further probe of the cause of the death,” Ikenga added.
He said the state Police Commissioner, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while reacting to the report of the incident “called for calm and ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Command for a comprehensive investigation.”
Police Arrest Cultist After clash
In a separate development, the state police command operatives arrested 25-year-old Maduka Okoye, from Abagana following a clash by a rival cult group in the town.
“Operatives of the Anti Cult unit of the Anambra State Police Command stationed at Enugwu Ukwu acting on credible information yesterday 25th January 2025 by 1.30 pm arrested one Maduka Okoye aged 25 years of Abagana. The team also recovered three expended cartridges of a pump action gun at a shooting scene in Ezichike Community of Abagana,” Ikenga stated.
The police spokesperson said the suspect confessed to being a member of Baggars Confraternity and disclosed that he was in a beer parlour drinking with his friend in the area when they came under attack by members of the rival cult group identified as Axe Men Confraternity.
“Meanwhile, the Police responded swiftly and restored calm in the area.”
“The suspect is currently assisting the Police Operatives in an ongoing operation for the possible arrest of the fleeing gang members and already identified members of the rival cult members, especially those actively involved in the shooting.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
